For the last 126 years, the betterment of the Steubenville community and its residents has been the focus of the Woman’s Club of Steubenville.

However, after many months of consideration and deliberation, the remaining members have announced the dissolution of the organization. From its very beginning, with 12 charter members in 1899, the club grew to be the largest federated club in the state of Ohio, with more than 300 members by the mid-20th century. It affiliated with the state and general federations in the early days.

The history of the Woman’s Club of Steubenville is marked by numerous outstanding contributions to the city of Steubenville and its residents.

Even in its very first year, the club, through pressure upon City Council, was credited with the establishment of the first city garbage treatment plant. This accomplishment occurred 20 years before women even had the right to vote. At the time, women had little, if any influence outside the home or in church circles.

Areas of support and concern by the club throughout the years have included education, legislation, health, youth, the aged, the arts, beautification and local charities. As a result, club departments were formed, providing members a focus on specific areas of interest.

A major project in the area of beautification, was the establishment of the Margaret H. Cook Rose Garden at Brady Avenue and Stony Hollow Boulevard. Members of the Garden Department personally maintained this city attraction for more than 50 years.

Fine Arts Department members formed a Woman’s Club Chorus which entertained locally and throughout the state. Other club departments were Civic, Community Affairs and American Home.

Further contributing to the betterment of the community, members were instrumental in the organization of the Civic League in 1903; the Civic Music Association in 1925; the local unit of the American Cancer Society in 1946; and in the early 1950s, the Jefferson County Council for the Mentally Retarded. Each of these groups has improved the quality of life for countless individuals.

As membership expanded considerably by 1920, the club was meeting in the ballroom of the Fort Steuben Hotel. The ladies, always fashionably dressed, presented an elegant picture in their hats, gloves and furs.

By 1963, the long-awaited dream of a club home was realized. This was made possible through a bequest from Mrs. George (Beatrice Kelly) Sharpe, daughter of a club founder, Mrs. J.M. Kelly.

The home, at 2728 Sunset Blvd., was the former residence of Dr. Albert Winston. An auditorium was added to the original structure and served as the site of club activities until 2009.

Twice throughout its history, the Woman’s Club of Steubenville has had two members serve as president of the Ohio Federation. They were Mrs. Edward (Elaine) Weinman, and Mrs. Thomas (Shirley Wells) Mitchell. Also, the club once hosted the Ohio Federation of Women’s Club convention at the Fort Steuben Hotel.

Throughout the years, the club and members have been awarded top honors in state competitions for programs and individual projects.

As the club has offered countless services to Steubenville and its residents, membership in the Woman’s Club of Steubenville has offered personal growth and gratification to its countless members as well.

In its final days, the club has dispensed all remaining assets to several area charities covering a broad spectrum of community needs and services. These dollars were derived from the earlier sale of the club home property.

Additional information and memorabilia relating to the Woman’s Club of Steubenville are available in the library of the Jefferson County Historical Museum.

(Bedortha was a member of the Woman’s Club of Steubenville for 48 years.)